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The NFL officially suspended Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger for six games on Wednesday for violating the league's personal-conduct policy.
Roethlisberger will not be eligible to play until Week 8. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told Roethlisberger that he must undergo "comprehensive behavioral evaluation."
Goodell will review Roethlisberger's progress before the season and will consider reducing the ban to four games. But failure to adhere to the terms of the punishment could result in a longer suspension.
The punishment is culmination of an investigation into a sexual assault complaint filed by a 20-year-old Georgia woman in early March. A local DA declined to prosecute Roethlisberger, but Goodell said the Steelers QB's actions warranted discipline.
Goodell and Steelers president Art Rooney II spoke with Roethlisberger today to inform him of the news. In a letter to the QB, Goodell said he was not imposing the discipline based on him having violated Georgia law.
"You are held to a higher standard as an NFL player, and there is nothing about your conduct in Milledgeville that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible, or consistent with either the values of the league or the expectations of our fans," Goodell told Roethlisberger.
Roethlisberger will not be allowed to participate in the Steelers' offseason workouts until his behavior is evaluated by medical professionals. The evaluators will confer with Goodell later this summer, and if Roethlisberger is progressing he will be allowed to participate in training camp and the preseason.
Goodell noted that Roethlisberger was charged with no crime. But he said the fact that the QB provided alcohol to underage people was a factor in his decision. "There is no question that the excessive consumption of alcohol that evening put the students and yourself at risk," he told Roethlisberger.
Goodell spoke with Georgia DA Fred Bright, who decided not to charge Roethlisberger, as he considered the punishment. He told the QB to consider the ban not only a punishment but a second chance to reform his decision-making.
"In your six years in the NFL, you have first thrilled and now disappointed a great many people," he told Roethlisberger. "I urge you to take full advantage of this opportunity to get your life and career back on track."
The Steelers begin their 2010 season at home Sept. 12 against the Falcons. The suspension means Pittsburgh will open without the quarterback who has helped the franchise to two Super Bowl titles in the past five years.
Just-acquired veteran Byron Leftwich is now in the mix with third-year pro Dennis Dixon and veteran Charlie Batch mix for Pittsburgh's starting quarterback position.
Last week, Rooney said the Steelers intended "to allow Ben the opportunity to prove to us that he is the teammate and citizen we all believe he is capable of being."
Goodell, who met with Roethlisberger last week, and Rooney both had already expressed their displeasure with the QB. Goodell said this week that Roethlisberger had displayed a pattern of troubling judgment that led to the suspension.
In July 2009, a Nevada woman filed a civil suit against Roethlisberger, alleging he raped her in 2008. Roethlisberger denied the accusation and no criminal charges were filed.
In June 2006, Roethlisberger was injured when he had an accident on his motorcycle. He was not wearing a helmet.
On Tuesday, the Steelers refused to rule out the possibility that they could trade Roethlisberger, their first-round pick in 2004.
Source: USA Today
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